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We rounded up 10 of the best conditioners for curly hair men so you don’t have to worry about it.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men 2022
Curly hair needs special attention. It gets more frizzy, tangled, and messy than straight hair. Finding the perfect conditioner for your hair, especially as a guy, can be a difficult task. With hundreds—if not thousands—of conditioners on the market, where do you even begin? We rounded up 10 of the best conditioners for curly hair men so you don’t have to worry about it.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – BluAtlas
There are few companies out there that understand what men truly need in their personal care products. Blu Atlas is one of those companies, and it does it well. If you haven’t been living under a rock this year, then you’ve probably seen Blu Atlas featured in Forbes and Men’s Journal as one of the best new brands in the men’s care game.
Blu Atlas is an all-natural brand with all the products men need. You’ll find products with simple names like Deodorant, Body Wash, and Shampoo. On top of that, all Blu Atlas products are made in New York with the help of well-respected formulators.
One of our favorite products from this brand is its Conditioner. It is all-natural, lightweight, and nourishing. This means it’s perfect for all hair types, including those prone to dullness, dryness, breakage, and frizz. If you think that sounds like your curly hair, then use Blu Atlas to seal in the moisture your hair needs while adding depth and restoring shine. This conditioner is a win-win for everyone.
If your curls constantly get tangled, then we have just what your luscious locks need. As one of the many new brands on the market that specialize in men’s care, Bevel knows they have fierce competition. However, that hasn’t stopped them from finding an untapped niche in men’s hair care—detangling conditioner. Bevel Hair Conditioner moisturizes and detangles hair to bring out the natural curls in textured and thick hair. No more fighting with your comb or constantly running your fingers in your hair to keep it from tangling up throughout the day.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – Brickell
If your hair is dehydrated, then you know better than anyone how hard it is to manage curly hair when those strands are too dry to do anything with them. Thankfully, Brickell Men’s Products knows your struggle and has just what you need with their Revitalizing Hair Conditioner. This conditioner uses an organic thick aloe base that works to deliver other natural ingredients to your scalp and hair, leaving it looking healthier, fuller, and energized.
The unfused borage oil delivers omega-6 fatty acids to your roots to stimulate hair growth and prevent flakes, buildup, and dandruff. Meanwhile, avocado oil strengthens and moisturizes each strand of hair to restore your hair to a strong, soft, and full state. Other ingredients like vitamin E, tea tree oil, and peppermint work together to cleanse your hair and scalp and protect them from damage.
This conditioner works for all hair types and men of all ages, but we found that it works exceptionally well for those with thinning, dull, and curly hair. If any of those three sound like you, you just hit the jackpot with what will be your new one-stop-shop conditioner. We just love it when that happens.
If you’ve damaged your hair with cheap dollar store products, exposure to the sun, or just out of neglect, then you need something to restore it to its natural state. Scotch Porter Nourish & Repair Hair Conditioner for Men is just what you need to renew and repair those damaged locks. This conditioner hydrates and reduces frizz for soft and moisturized hair. What truly sets it apart from other conditioners for men is that it is a lightweight leave-in conditioner. Instead of washing it out, you leave it in after applying it to damp hair.
Its formula contains kale protein and white willow bark essence that target signs of damage and dryness as well as flakes, buildup, and dandruff. Additionally, Scotch Porter used no animal ingredients or animal testing during the development of this conditioner. There are no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, petrolatums, PEGs, mineral oils, or synthetic colors in its formula. That just leaves everything you want.
This conditioner has a lot going for it. It’s vegan and free of harsh chemicals, and it has a wonderful scent. No more bland-smelling conditioner. Instead, you can expect masculine notes of eucalyptus, citrus, bergamot, cardamom, lavender, geranium, amber, cedarwood, patchouli, and musk.
Don’t let a brand name like Carol’s Daughter scare you away. All their products are great for men, too. Their Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner is one of the best conditioners for curly hair men. There are few conditioners on the market that help dry hair, and even fewer that work on dry curly hair. This conditioner from Carol’s Daughter is the exception. It is lightweight and provides intense moisture to soften, hydrate, and bring back shine and definition to those dried-out curly locks.
Unlike most other hydrating conditioners that work on all hair types, this conditioner specifically works on curly and coily hair. Whether your curls are coiled, kinked, or loose, Carol’s Daughter has what your hair needs. The coconut oil that gives this conditioner its namesake works to revive your natural curls, while mango seed butter and shea butter work to hydrate each strand to preserve the curls with enough moisture to last throughout the day.
Combine the Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner with Carol’s Daughter’s other products for curly hair, like their Curl Custard, gel, shampoo, or natural hair oils that all work to enhance and preserve your natural curls and promote their growth.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – Desert Essence
If your hair is as dry as an arid desert, then you know how hard it is to quench your dehydrated locks. Thankfully, Desert Essence has the revitalizing and moisturizing conditioner that’ll turn that desert into an ocean. This cruelty-free hair conditioner moisturizes damaged and over-processed hair to bring back the life it had when it was healthier. Desert Essence infused coconut oil into its formula to tame the frizziness often found in curly and coily hair.
Say goodbye to the frizzies and hello to smooth, strong hair that won’t fray or break under pressure. In addition to caring for your hair, coconut oil also conditions your scalp while the added shea butter helps lock in moisture. Sunflower oil is a gluten-free alternative to make hair soft, silky, and shiny. We love all of Desert Essence’s products, not just because they work but due to their affordability and availability. Their Coconut Conditioner is one the best examples of their price to performance ratio. Like most of Desert Essence’s offerings, this conditioner is vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, and free of artificial colors and fragrances.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – Dr. Squatch
The secret to keeping your hair hydrated throughout the day isn’t just moisturizing your hair with conditioner. Nope, not even if you go from root to ends or let it sit for half an hour. The secret lies within your scalp. If you have a dry scalp, chances are you’ll have dry hair. Luckily for you, Dr. Squatch has taken time off from being spotted in vintage found-footage videos to develop a brand new conditioner for men. How nice of him, right?
Dr. Squatch’s Cool Citrus Men’s Natural Conditioner is just what the doctor ordered to treat that poor dehydrated dome of yours. A blend of shea butter, avocado oil, menthol, calendula extract, and peppermint oil work to stimulate your scalp, strengthen your hair, and provide hydration that’ll last from morning to evening.
Unlike most conditioners that smell bland or don’t have a fragrance, Dr. Squatch’s citrus and pine concoction scent will have your hair smelling of an orange orchard and old pine forest at the same time. Plus, all of Dr. Squatch’s products are cruelty-free, plant-derived, and made in small batches right here in the U.S.A.
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – Tea Tree
There is something special about tea tree oil. In every department of personal care, you’ll find tea tree oil in more than just a few products. Tea tree oil clears up acne and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis in addition to treating fungal infections. Tea Tree—the brand not the actual tree—knows how useful this oil is and that’s why they dedicated their business to making personal care products that use tea tree oil as a base.
Tea Tree’s Special Conditioner invigorates the scalp and hair to detangle, smooth, and soften. Infused botanical essences stop tangles before they start, while tea tree oil, lavender, and mint leave your scalp refreshed while providing essential moisture and nutrients. You can use this lightweight, vegan conditioner daily since it’s color-safe and free of harsh ingredients like parabens. We know that after using this conditioner, you’ll notice more products with tea tree oil lining your shower caddy and bathroom sink. And who could blame you?
Best Conditioners for Curly Hair Men – Blackwood
We know, you’re never supposed to judge a book by its cover. It’s what’s inside that counts. But we’d be lying if we said this slick, minimal bottle for Blackwood for Men’s Active Man Daily Conditioner didn’t catch our eye. It could easily pass as a prop in a Blade Runner or Dune movie.
What we didn’t expect was what was inside to be even better. Antimicrobial licorice root and citric acid work to soothe and cleanse the scalp while clove flowers fight flakes and balance oil. Also included in this robust formula is seaweed to thicken hair, Tsubaki oil to soften and prevent frizziness, and aloe vera to repair damage. Antioxidant-infused peach leaf strengthens hair, while hydrolyzed silk forms a defensive barrier. Wait, there’s more.
This conditioner also supports hair growth with Swertia japonica, ginseng root, and Rehmannia glutinosa botanicals that increase scalp circulation and work to prevent baldness-causing DHT. Blackwood for Men also has the distinction of being made in Japan, certified ocean safe, cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, phthalate-free, soy-free, triclosan-free, dye-free, and soy-free. You can’t get cleaner and more natural than that.
OGX has been in the hair care game for quite some time now. Their products line store shelves all across the country, but men may have passed them by simply because they aren’t labeled “for men.” Well, that is a mistake because OGX has some of the best hair care products out there. Period. Which is great news for curly hair men because OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Conditioner is the curl-defining treatment you need.
Its nourishing formula uses coconut oil, sweet honey, and citrus oil to help bring out the natural softness in your hair while enhancing your curls and taming frizz. Like almost all of OGX’s hair products, you can expect the look of thicker, fuller, healthier hair after just a few uses. Combine the Quenching + Coconut Curls Conditioner with an OGX shampoo to maximize its effectiveness.
Don’t worry about overdoing it because you can rest easy knowing OGX’s products are sulfate-free and paraben-free. Also, men, just because something doesn’t say “for men” on it doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, next time you’re at the store, don’t pass up one of the best conditioners for curly hair men just because it’s not in your aisle.
It would be downright unfair to not mention American Crew in any list concerning men’s hair care. For over two decades now they have been the go-to for styling. Gels, pomades, sprays, fibers. You name it, they have it when it comes to men’s hairstyling. However, what most men don’t realize is that American Crew also has shampoo and conditioner. We love their Daily Moisturizing Conditioner for how well it preps hair for styling.
After rinsing, you’ll notice how soft and manageable your hair is, which is perfect for styling. American Crew uses a triple-action vegan and silicone-free formula that detangles and moisturizes hair to restore, strengthen, and protect. It’s lightweight enough to not weigh down your hair thanks to vitamin B5, which renews your hair with hydration. This conditioner includes essential nutrients derived from 91% natural sources known for their ability to detangle, reduce breakage, and moisturize. Additionally, the packaging is made with 80% post-consumer recycled plastics.
It’s surprising that it took us this long until we got to a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. They get a lot of flak, but we’ve all used them at one point. Nothing beats one less step in the mornings. The faster you can shower means the faster you can get ready, and the faster you can get ready means the faster you can make a cup of coffee and start on breakfast. We don’t claim to know the science behind it, but skipping a step just makes the mornings that much easier.
Every Man Jack knows this, and that’s why they made the 2-in-1 Daily Sea Salt Shampoo + Conditioner. It uses trusted plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and soy protein and skips all the stuff you don’t want like parabens, phthalates, harmful chemicals, and dyes. This vegan shampoo and conditioner blend strengthens hair and adds shine right at the source without all the fuss of multiple steps requiring additional products. Like all of Every Man Jack’s products, this is cruelty-free, sustainably made, and manufactured here in the USA.
Jack Black is one of our favorite brands that brings luxury-level hair and skincare for men at drug store prices. We think one of the best examples from their catalog is the Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner. This conditioner moisturizes, reduces frizz, and leaves the scalp and hair hydrated without the weighed-down feeling found in other deeply moisturizing conditioners.
To truly get the best out of this conditioner, we recommend using it daily and keeping it on for the full length of your shower. The infused tea tree oil and basil leaf leave your hair and scalp feeling refreshed and healthy. Combine the Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner with Jack Black’s many other personal care products to get yourself looking your best for a fraction of the cost of what you’d spend on high-end luxury brands.
You’ve probably seen the ads everywhere online, maybe even got a physical mailer or got put on a newsletter, but you have walked by it at the supermarket. We’re talking about Duke Cannon. As one of the biggest men’s brands to come out of the e-commerce boom of the 2010s, Duke Cannon has earned their place alongside men’s care mainstays. One of our favorite products from them is their News Anchor Power Clean Mint Conditioner. This conditioner detoxifies, protects, and moisturizes your scalp and hair with activated charcoal.
Infused premium anti-static agents work to reduce and control pesky flyaways and combat frizziness at the source. What makes this conditioner stand out is the plant-based thickener used to give that news anchor look. No journalism school or Edward R. Murrow awards are needed.
Let the energizing and clarifying blend of menthol and peppermint oil charge you up in the morning to have you at your Cronkite best. Pair it with the matching shampoo to have some of the fullest head of hair in your life. Like all Duke Cannon products, the News Anchor Power Clean Mint Conditioner is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
If you ever had the privilege of traveling to Hawaii, you know how amazing that moist tropical air feels when a Pacific breeze moves through your hair. What if you could have that feeling all the time? Luckily, you can with Mau Moisture’s Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner for thick, frizzy, and curly hair. This Hawaiian vacation in a bottle hydrates, defrizzes, and smooths curls to create a bouncy, soft body for all those curly-headed men out there.
This moisture-packed anti-frizz and protectant conditioner is ideal for tight curls that need all the shine, definition, and bounce they can get. One hundred percent aloe vera is the first ingredient, providing immediate moisture that lasts all day. Rich coconut oil, creamy papaya butter, and calming plumeria extract soothe and defrizz your delicate curls. This nourishing blend of tropical ingredients is sulfate-free, vegan, paraben-free, silicone-free, mineral oil-free, and dye-free.
Just hear us out. We know the product image above insinuates that this conditioner is for horses. Yes, it has two horses on the bottle. Yes, it is named Mane ‘n Tail. Fine, we’ll admit it. Yeah, this conditioner is for horses, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for horses. A horse’s mane and tail hair are a lot like human hair. So, it only makes sense horse conditioners would work on humans, too.
Straight Arrow Mane ‘n Tail nourishes and conditions the hair and scalp while promoting healthy hair growth and creating a luscious and silky look. Straight Arrow formulated Mane ‘n Tail with an exclusive protein-enriched amino acid that has unique properties that condition and strengthen to prevent hair breakage and moisturize to eliminate itching and buildup. It is one of the best conditioners for curly hair men out there, and since it comes in bulk you end up paying pennies compared to conditioners marketed just for humans. After all, why should horses get all the good hair days?
Yes, Chef! winner Emily Brubaker leads the robust culinary program at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.

Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.

Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.

Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
For more on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and its dining program, please visit omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.

Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer

Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233

An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721

A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623

Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291

History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203

Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311

This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821

The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190

Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101

Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101

A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
In the heart of Pacific Beach, bar Ella debuted in 2023 with Executive Chef Brendan Nugent at the helm. Drawing on experience from both coasts, Nugent crafts a sustainable, seasonal menu inspired by his Northeast childhood and master‑gardener grandmother. Expect East Coast classics like lump crab cake, garlic shrimp in Old Bay broth and scratch‑made spaghetti with clams. Nugent’s commitment to using every part of each ingredient keeps waste low and the cooking sustainable.
At bar Ella, first‑time guests become family.
Lamb Lollipop: 24-hour buttermilk and za’atar marinated lamb, roasted, seared and finished with housemade chermoula.

1030 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California 92109
858-808-2286 | barellapb.com | @bar.ella.pb
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
At Amalfi Cucina Italiana, dining is a celebration of Italian tradition, hospitality and craftsmanship. General managers Giuseppe Annunziata and Emiliano Muslija have created a welcoming atmosphere where every glass of wine and plate of pasta reflects Italy’s culinary heritage.
Executive chef Marcello Avitabile, a five-time world pizza champion, and pizza chef Joseph Serra bring craftsmanship and soul to every dish through handmade pastas, artisan pizzas and authentic Italian flavors. all.
Margherita Pizza: With San Marzona tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and prosciutto.

Locations in San Marcos, Carmel Valley, and Oceanside
760-653-3230 | amalficucinaitaliana.com
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
At VanMan’s Kitchen, guests can enjoy grass-fed smash burgers, tallow fries, and milkshakes, all prepared with the same the commitment to quality San Diegans have come to expect from VanMan’s soaps and skincare products. That means everything is prepared in-house—and we mean everything, from the ketchup to the mayo to the pickles—and made from organic, natural ingredients. In fact, the fries are cooked in the same high-quality suet tallow that’s used for the company’s skincare products. That’s because when VanMan’s says you shouldn’t put anything on your body you wouldn’t eat, and you shouldn’t eat anything you wouldn’t put on your body, it’s not a cute marketing gimmick. It’s a commitment to always providing customers with the best possible ingredients. Another non-negotiable for VanMan’s Kitchen? Keeping all of this accessible. Expect a welcoming, laidback vibe and price tags that make eating organic food affordable to all.
Classic Smash Burger: 100% Grass-fed beef, American cheese, organic lettuce, organic tomato, organic sliced onion, house pickles and burger sauce on a potato bun. Best with a side of tallow fries.

1380 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California 92109
858-203-3795 | vanmanskitchen.com
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Tous les Jours has grown into a reputable bakery café franchise since its launch in the U.S. in 2004, with over 200 stores nationwide and more than 1,800 locations worldwide. Tous les Jours specializes in freshly baked breads, pastries, cakes, desserts, and premium beverages. Using only the finest ingredients, the products are known for their unique flavors and wholesome quality, with a wide variety of fresh, delicious items prepared daily for every occasion.
Tous les Jours has built its core strength in making the best kinds of bread, freshy baked in store every morning. The bakery uses carefully selected ingredients to offer stylish cakes and desserts in all types and sizes, depending on the occasion. From bold espresso to handcraft smoothies, the beverages are the perfect accompaniment to the artisan baked goods.
Stop by in June for 50% off a beverage with a purchase of a piece of cake, or a free beverage with purchase of a whole cake.
Cloud Cake: Delight in this light and fluffy treat available in fresh cream, strawberry, triple berry, green tea, chocolate, mango and blueberry yogurt.h sake-soy vegetables and furikake onigiri.

3363 Nobel Drive, La Jolla, California 92037
858-699-3006 | @touslesjourslajolla
1420 East Plaza Boulevard, B5, National City, California 91950
619-773-6033